The former U.S. captain nodded two balls into the back of the net and the Americans held off a determined Honduran team to get three points in their 2015 Gold Cup opener.
BY
Josh Deaver
Posted
July 07, 2015
11:30 PM
FRISCO, Texas—The more things change the more they stay the same.
In the opening match of its 2015 Gold Cup campaign, the U.S men’s national team did what it needed to do on Tuesday night, defeating Honduras 2-1. Unfortunately, the team didn’t do much else.
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Weeks after posting impressive away wins against the Netherlands and Germany, as well as a decisive victory against Guatemala last Friday, the Americans just did not have their mojo working deep in the heart of Texas. Despite the win and three points that move it to the top of Group A after Match Day 1, Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad looked out of sorts for much of the match, barely escaping the Lonestar State with a favorable result.
Two goals from Clint Dempsey propelled the Americans to victory, extending their all-time record to 23 consecutive home matches without a defeat.
GOA!!! Clint Dempsey. 1-0 USA. #USAvHON pic.twitter.com/a9Z9momDlo
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) July 8, 2015
“It was what we expected—a very good Honduras side that knows how to play, know how to create chances,” Klinsmann said after the match. “What’s clear is that it’s not going to be all perfect in the beginning.”
You can say that again.
Despite the assertion from Klinsmann that Gold Cup opponents would sit back and hope to surprise the favored Americans, from the onset Honduras appeared intent to blow the doors off the defending gold Cup champs. Ruthless high pressure combined with a sizeable helping of creative flair left the U.S. bewildered in the opening quarter hour.
“It’s a very good team. They are organized, well coached. They are difficult to play against, they close space quickly. All the traditional qualities of a difficult CONCACAF opponent,” captain Michael Bradley, who received his 100th cap on Tuesday, commented post match. “These games are never easy.”
Klinsmann echoed his captain’s sentiments: “They really took it to us in the first 20 minutes.”
The action was hot and heavy from the opening whistle, with 22-year-old Honduran striker Anthony Lozano sneaking past Kyle Beckerman, John Brooks, and Alvarado Ventura to force Brad Guzan into a diving block to clear the six-yard box.
Los Catrachos wouldn’t stop there.
In the fourth minute, Bryan Acosta had a good look only to be deflected out. Less than a minute later former D.C. United homegrown star Andy Najar received a short corner, turned Dempsey out of his boots, and sent the ball in the mixer for another half chance for Honduras.
No more than 30 seconds later, Najar was at it again. After Acosta won the ball from Michael Bradley at midfield, the streaking Najar run straight down the middle of the field before uncorking a 25-yard dipping shot that Guzan tipped over the bar.
So much for a defensive matchup.
Much of the U.S. struggle emanated from its sorely lacking wide play. Gyasi Zardes and DeAndre Yedlin—both playing out of their usual club positions—were held under siege by the Honduran wingbacks and Klinsmann’s roster choices forced two player not exactly known for their defensive prowess into some nervy scrambles.
Yedlin’s right-side partner Timothy Chandler didn’t exactly cover himself in glory either. Several poor first half crosses elicited more than few groans from a sold-out Toyota Park.
It’s all part of the evolution of the new–look U.S. backline, according to Klinsmann.
“There will be moments of a little struggle. You have to go through those. At the end of the day, it’s a tournament and you have to move on right away. They just need more experience.”
“It just takes time,” goalkeeper Brad Guzan commented when asked about his back four.
Kyle Beckerman added, “It doesn’t happen overnight.”
On Chandler, Klinsmann expounded: “Timmy had a couple of difficult moments, and then he also had a huge impact on the game. One of his strengths is that he kind of shakes it off right away. It doesn’t influence his next touch.”
For much of the opening half, the American could not connect simple passes between the lines. On several occasions, the U.S. defense (including Beckerman, who started slow but was his usual ground-covering self) tried to pick out Yedlin or Zardes with 40-yard, over-the shoulder long-ball attempts. With the steady Texas breeze, you can guess how that strategy worked out.
With “Oles!” echoing from the Honduran supporter, the central American side look destined to find the score sheet first.
But Dempsey got there first.
Coming completely against the run of play, a 25th-minute corner from Bradley found the head of Altidore, whose header was knocked off the line. The ball continued to ping around until it found Dempsey—who made no mistake with a header of his own.
Honduras continued to press up top with the triumvirate of Martinez, Najar, and Lozano causing havoc with some quarter- and half-chances. However, some hanging-heads after Dempsey’s tally brought the Americans much more time on the ball as the first half came to an end.
GOAL #USA!!! Clint Dempsey with his second of the match. 2-0. #USAvHON pic.twitter.com/KWCvjACzxS
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) July 8, 2015
By the 63rd minute Klinsmann had gone to the substitute bench twice, removing both Jozy Altidore and Timothy Chandler—who both had their share of groaners in their respective shifts—bringing on Brad Evans and Chris Wondolowski,
One minute later, Dempsey added his second goal of the match.
What do you know? It was another set piece.
Off a Bradley free kick from the left wing, Dempsey made contact to give the Americans a two-goal lead in the 65th minute. Dempsey celebrated with Bradley giving a knowing shrug, as Bradley’s attempt was heading for the back of the net regardless.
Despite doubling the advantage, los Catrachos would not go quietly into that Texas night.
GOAL Honduras. 2-1. (70′). #USAvHON #GoldCup pic.twitter.com/B4CpLdN814
— Ben Jata (@Ben_Jata) July 8, 2015
In the 70th minute, Honduran substitute Carlos Discua clawed one back for the Blue and White, setting up a nervy final 20 minutes in which Honduras did everything but score. Hopelessly stretched, the exhausted American backline managed to hold on for the final whistle, but not before a couple of Honduran chances thankfully skipped past Guzan’s net.
The American players know they will have to do better as the tournament rolls on.
“I don’t think we were at our best. We turned the ball over, easily, too many times, Guzan commented after the match, before tempering his comments with the typical CONCACAF refrain. “Especially in this tournament, it’s not always the prettiest of soccer.”
It’s the Gold Cup, everybody! Enjoy!
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Josh Deaver is an ASN 100 panelist and contributing editor. Follow him on Twitter.
